Gatsby, himself, became a bootlegger and his wealth was mostly based on breaking the law. Tom calls Gatsby out on this while they are in a hotel fighting about who Daisy really loves. As Mary Jo Tate mentioned in an article, “... Tom speculates that Gatsby is a bootlegger” (Tate). Several times in the book, it talks about wild parties at Gatsby’s house, while church bells ring in the distance. Many people at these parties admired Gatsby for his great wealth. In the end, Gatsby’s wealth comes back to ruin and eventually end his life. …show more content…
Daisy’s pursuit of wealth and power led her to lead a wild lifestyle and eventually cause the death of Myrtle.
Daisy in the earlier part of her life, was attracted to Gatsby. She eventually decided to leave him, because he didn’t have enough money to please her. However, after she met Gatsby again, she wanted to leave her husband because of the great wealth Gatsby had achieved. As Harold Bloom mentioned in his article, “Daisy is impressed with the things Gatsby has amassed” (Bloom). Daisy’s hesitation on whether she loved Gatsby or Tom more led her to be unhappy, which eventually ended with her killing Myrtle. Like Gatsby, her pursuit of wealth led to her ruin and the ruin
others.
In one way or another, all of the characters in Gatsby are ruined by their pursuit of wealth and pleasure. George Wilson is one who falls the farthest. After his wife is killed, he says he won’t go to church because he said “Don’t belong to any” (Fitzgerald 157). Like the others his wild behavior is destructive and deadly. He becomes obsessed with the idea that Gatsby murdered his wife. In retaliation, he kills Gatsby and himself. This murder shows that all the people will stop at nothing to achieve wealth.
All of the people in Gatsby have their lives ruined in the insane pursuit of wealth and power. Some lose their character, some lose their live and some lose their wealth. The tragic cycle of the pursuit of wealth ends with everyone being unhappy and miserable.